CXO Outlook – March 2023 – The 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders – 2023

Most Inspiring Business Leaders - 2023

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Finding a Sustainable Path to Profitability

When everyone thought everything would change in that couple of years, a minority shone. Examples are pharma companies hunting for a COVID-19 vaccine and tech firms buoyed by the trend of working from home. Conversely, operations were not smooth for companies that depended on customer footfall and logistics. For instance, many proclaimed that it was the demise of retail as it was the end of commutation. In reality, however, leaders with excellent vision dealt with the crisis by pivoting to business models conducive to short-term survival and long-term resilience and growth.

One such success story from the global retail market is BFL (Brands for Less) Group, which was initially founded in Lebanon as a small-scale retail outlet and, over the years, established a distinctive retail environment, which has led to the expansion of the group across the GCC region. BFL Group’s Executive Chairman of the Board and Group CEO, Toufic Kreidieh, knows how to win over and entice customers with the promise

of exciting products and services. To learn more about his entrepreneurial journey and business hacks, we have featured him on the cover of this special issue, where we have identified the 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders - 2023 who have created a sustainable path to profitability.

The Journeys of Brent Marshall (CEO, omni.auto), Gene Moran (Founder & President of Capitol Integration) and Vierka Hiscock (Managing Director & CEO of Care Horizons Ltd) are two other major stories we have covered in this magazine. We have also included insights and opinions from industry experts so that our readers can understand the latest trend in the business world. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

10 COVER STORY

TOUFIC KREIDIEH ON A MISSION TO GIVE MORE FOR LESS

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND GROUP CEO, BFL GROUP

IN MY VIEW

LEADER'S INSIGHTS

Promoting Optimism Among Humans Regarding the Future 50

Leadership Discomfort: Tolerating and Managing This for Yourself

John Sanei, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Chief of Tomorrow Board Member & Faculty, Singularity University

Kate Pearlman-Shaw, MD, Pearlman-Shaw Consultancy

and Others

Iqbal Amiri, President & CEO, AMIRI Wealth Management Inc.

Future Employment –Virtual Global Contractors

LEADER'S INSIGHTS

EXPERT OPINION

Dr. Nathan Bryan, Founder & CEO, Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC

Nitric Oxide: The Future of Medicine

68

Charles S. Gates, President of Charles S. Gates, LLC

Bring the Zing-5 Keys to Powerful Presentations, Briefings, and Meetings

72

Nerma Albertorio, Co-Manager Director at Project Makers, Founder at Centro para Emprendedores, Co-Founder at 100 Ventures

Five Tips to Become an Entrepreneur

COVER STORY

TOUFIC KREIDIEH ON A MISSION TO GIVE MORE FOR LESS

Toufic Kreidieh, Executive Chairman of the Board and Group CEO, knows how to win over and entice customers with the promise of exciting products and services. No wonder Brands for Less, a unique off-price business model introduced to Lebanon in 1996, has become the Middle East’s favourite multi-brand retailer renowned for its distinctive business model, innovative retail concepts, and exclusive pricing on apparel from a range of premium brands. Even the pandemic could not stop BFL’s growth. The company won the ‘Heroes of the Pandemic’ title at the Transport and Logistics Middle East Award and was recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work.’ Recently, BFL Group launched its shopping centre with two new innovative concepts – ‘Beauty For Less’ and ‘Luxury For Less.’ To learn more about BFL’s success, we caught up with Toufic Kreidieh for a deep conversation. Here are the excerpts.

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND GROUP CEO, BFL GROUP

From one store in Lebanon to more than 80 outlets across the Middle East and Malta, Brands for Less has redefined the retail sector. What is your secret to success?

The BFL Group was initially founded in Lebanon as a small-scale retail outlet. However, over the years, we were able to establish a distinctive retail environment, which has led to the expansion of the group across the GCC region. I will attribute this growth to our unique strategies, like the treasure hunt concept. My business partner Yasser Beydoun and I conceptualised this strategy after realising that it would be challenging to establish a longterm presence in this fiercely competitive sector without providing extraordinary shopping experiences to customers. The treasure hunt concept involves offering a constantly changing collection of finds, creating an element of surprise and mystery for customers. We have also integrated technology into every aspect of our business to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers - resulting in seamless, pleasant and unique shopping experience.

Unlike many others in the market, BFL Group booms in days of the crisis. How do you make it possible? What strategy can other business leaders follow to make such a difference?

Businesses must prioritise exploring and diversifying their offerings to find the most effective solutions if they want to achieve success, particularly during turmoil times. This requires an ongoing commitment to exploring innovative concepts and business strategies to stay ahead of the curve, despite hurdles. By doing so, businesses can pave the way

for constant evolution and development. For example, our transition to eCommerce enabled us to overcome various obstacles and connect with our customers via an alternative channel. As a result, our customers have not only become loyal, but also integral to the company's projected image.

What are the challenges for leaders when they move forward towards a ‘new normal’ in the post-pandemic world?

What are your predictions for 2023?

Most organisations today are still adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and implementing the necessary

post-pandemic changes in leadership. This is important, given how challenging it is to succeed in a constantly evolving retail market. The retail industry around the world has faced several obstacles, including difficult trading conditions brought on by consumers' reluctance to shop in stores, limitations on the total occupancy per store and stricter hygiene guidelines, among others. However, effective leaders have been able to overcome these challenges by prioritising online communication and maintaining confidence in their teams. Given the growth of online shopping and corporate investments in

eCommerce, it is fair to predict that 2023 holds great potential for the retail sector.

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today? Tell us about your career so far.

Several hardships came my way, whether during my childhood or when I first launched the business. And it is only after overcoming these obstacles that I have come to truly value and appreciate my achievements. The difficulties I have faced have made me a stronger and more astute leader. As a leader, my team's welfare is my top priority. My life experiences have taught me that there will

always be highs and lows, which reminds me of the saying, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but to dance in the rain.” To this day, I value my downs as much as my ups because you learn a valuable lesson from every experience.

One of the most significant challenges faced by every CEO is making difficult decisions during trying times. From personal experience, I have learned the importance of building strong relationships with your executive team and allowing them to recommend, propose, and implement their suggestions during these critical moments. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among team members, which in turn allows the business to flourish.

We have recognised the need to strike a balance between immediate changes and long- term planning as well as addressing the demand for improved efficiency in resource management. However, it is also important to acknowledge that the retail industry is expected to face numerous difficulties in the coming years due to global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and others.

As a company, we could navigate this roadblock due to our range of offerings, which allowed us to continue operations while maintaining quality. As a result, the BFL Group strengthened its online presence by investing in social media platforms and building a robust website when other companies struggled to stay in business, let alone make significant cost reductions.

As the Executive Chairman of the Board and Group CEO of Brands for Less / BFL Group, what challenges do you face? How do you overcome those challenges?

How have you changed a company culture to facilitate innovation? How would you ensure that BFL invests in and leverages the correct technology while carefully balancing cost and ROI?

In today's business environment, modern technology has become an essential tool for growth. For the BFL Group, the first step in modernising our eCommerce platform was to set up an online fulfilment centre dedicated to fulfilling online orders.

the daily fulfilment to our stores, resulting in higher sales.

Tell us a little bit about your education and life as a student. What lessons have you learned in your childhood/college days that helped you become the leader you are today?

Although I was born during the Lebanese civil war, I was fortunate to have access to top-tier education. My early days were influenced by my immediate circle. I learned the importance of independence and responsibility at a young age. I started working part-time jobs at the age of 13 to support my single mother. Those jobs taught me the importance of money, hard work and learning to be resourceful at every corner.

I also learned and cherished the importance of trust and attachment when I partnered with Yasser Beydoun. We made a pact to have each other’s back through thick and thin. This pact remains to date, and our bond has only strengthened through the years!

What have been the significant milestones during these years of your professional journey? Why?

This enhanced eCommerce channel led to significant growth for our online business and the company's overall revenue. Similarly, our partnership with ‘IQ Robotics’ enabled faster turnarounds, resulting in the timely delivery of new stock to our branches. Backed by over 160 robots, we successfully increased

My greatest accomplishment to date has been launching my company with my best friend. In our early days, we never anticipated having as many branches as we do today. Our entire business journey has been interesting and challenging to say the least. We started out with a small store in Lebanon, and nowadays, the company is experiencing rapid expansion extending to more than 80 locations across the Middle East and Europe. By introducing innovative, consumerfocused ideas and keeping up with technological advancements, the BFL Group has established

We have recently launched our shopping centre, along with two new innovative concepts – ‘Beauty For Less’ and ‘Luxury For Less.’

itself as a leading off-price retailer of clothing and home products globally. This is one of our biggest and proudest accomplishments.

We have also recently launched our shopping centre, along with two new innovative concepts – ‘Beauty For Less’ and ‘Luxury For Less’. The BFL Group won the ‘Heroes of the Pandemic’ title at the Transport and Logistics Middle East Award and was recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work.’ These achievements and milestones leave us humbled and excited for what the future holds for us.

What does your typical working day look like? How do you handle pressure, stay calm all day, and unplug from work?

My typical workday starts and ends with everything related to the BFL Group. Whether it is expansion plans or operation-related activities, business is always the cornerstone of my daily life. My ability to handle pressure mainly relies on the confidence that I have instilled in my team and their ability to handle their day-to-day tasks. Trust between a company's workforce and its leadership, in my opinion, is what drives a business forward.

Regardless of how demanding my daily schedule is, I always find harmony and peace in the cocoon I call home. Spending quality time with my family is what keeps me energised. Those precious moments not only distract and destress me but also help block all the noise and stress I carry around throughout the day.

What entrepreneurial hacks have you developed to stay focused and productive daily?

The most important trait to have as an entrepreneur is your drive and hunger to learn. This learning

should not be limited to one realm, as you need to know something about everything. Keep your eyes and ears open to the world around you. Sometimes, we are so consumed in our daily routine that we forget how fast the world is moving around us. Also, never fear trying new things, especially when it comes to technology. Do not be afraid to explore and test new waters; you never know how pleasantly surprised you could be.

Do you have any thoughts you would like to share about being a leader or advice for other business executives carving a top management space?

Being a leader is an ongoing process that requires constant development of skills. How you present yourself to your team, stakeholders, and business partners will shape the perception of you as a leader. Therefore, working on your image as a leader is very important. Your perception and approach during tough times can make you a stronger leader and mentor. In my opinion, being creative is also an essential leadership quality. Encouraging your team to think outside the box and strive for excellence can be a powerful motivator. Additionally, maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of adversity is crucial.

What projects or goals are you working on or leading currently?

We aim to grow and expand across the GCC region as a group. Thus, we are working relentlessly on developing and implementing new concepts to better serve our customers.

Promoting Optimism Among Humans Regarding the Future

John Sanei, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Chief of Tomorrow Board Member & Faculty, Singularity University

According to you, what are the 3 things people can do to develop foresight from where they are?

Developing foresight is a personal endeavor, and it starts with cultivating wisdom and a serene, inquisitive mindset. By tapping into our innate

curiosity, we can access a unique sixth sense and harness the power of imagination, as Einstein so rightly noted, imagination is more vital than knowledge as it allows us to envision the potential possibilities of the future.

Globally acclaimed keynote speaker, futures strategist, 5 times bestselling author, Singularity University and Duke CE faculty member, Associate Partner at the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, Chief of Tomorrow Board Member, and podcaster at The Expansive – John Sanei isn’t just transforming the way we think about the future, he’s empowering us with the courage we need to cultivate everlasting change. Using a dynamic mix of human psychology, quantum science, business strategy and futurism, John creates talks, writes books, delivers masterclasses, and sits on boards to help guide future-forward leaders who are ready to lean into uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise with courage, clarity, and power. “I am resolutely dedicated to promoting optimism among humans regarding the future, which remains unknown and uncertain. To achieve this, I am working to deepen my understanding of neuroscience and seeking ways to alter the neural pathways in our brains to foster a positive and energetic outlook towards what lies ahead.”

In a recent conversation with the team of CXO Outlook Magazine, John Sanei speaks about his passion for technology, what makes his books a hit among the audience, future plans, and a lot more. Following are the excerpts from the interview.

By approaching technology with an optimistic mindset, we can harness its potential to enhance our lives and capabilities

Where did your interest in technology start? And what makes you so passionate about the tech world and what lies ahead?

My passion lies at the intersection of technology and humanity, where I strive to assist people in engaging with technology in a positive and inquisitive way. As an early adopter, I have a natural inclination to explore what's next

and how best to approach it. My goal is help foster an optimistic and curious attitude towards technology, rather than one of fear or apprehension. With a positive perspective, technology can become an ally in our personal and collective evolution as humans. By approaching technology with an optimistic mindset, we can harness its potential to enhance our lives and capabilities.

As a 5x bestselling author, what do you think makes your books click with thousands of readers across the world? Out of all your books, which one is closest to your heart?

I believe that my books have been successful because they bridge the gap between human psychology and futurism, two subjects that are not often explored together. I also use my personal experiences to illustrate the lessons I've learned, making them relatable to readers. At the core, my books are about taking personal responsibility for our own evolution and growth to prepare for the future.

You are the Faculty Member at Singularity University. Can you please tell us about your role and responsibilities in the global organization?

Singularity University was established to provide corporations and governments with a deeper understanding of the future, as it is an incredibly diverse and varied field. The University boasts a diverse faculty that covers a wide range of topics, from AI to DNA sequencing, 3D printing, and blockchain applications. My role as a speaker is to bring my expertise and research on the intersection of neuroscience and the future to the table.

Being a well-famed keynote speaker at various global events, how important do you think public speaking plays a vital role in embracing the audience and adapt to the new changes that shape the future?

When speaking to an audience, it's crucial to create an immersive experience where they feel understood and supported. By highlighting how others have overcome similar challenges and providing practical tools, the audience can feel empowered to tackle their own obstacles. To make the experience engaging and memorable, it's important to infuse it with humor, surprises, and unexpected elements, so that the audience leaves feeling energized and confident in their ability to navigate future challenges.

Please tell us about your role as Chief of Tomorrow at Team Tomorrow Advisory?

Boards and executive teams need a forwardthinking perspective to stay ahead of potential disruptions caused by new technologies or business models. I bring a wide understanding of various industries, as well as an understanding of the macroeconomic and technological landscape, combined with proficiency in data analysis and

Boards and executive teams need a forward-thinking perspective to stay ahead of potential disruptions caused by new technologies or business models

Who is the one person you look upto and why?

Throughout my life, I have looked up to various individuals for different reasons. Sometimes it's for their kindness, other times it's for their focus and determination. But one person who has consistently inspired me is my mother. She single-handedly raised my brother and me, and her strength and resilience has had a profound impact on my life. She is a constant source of inspiration for me.

Which are the top 3 skills that every future-ready leader must possess?

"Strong opinions held loosely" is an ideal mindset for anyone, but particularly for leaders. It enables them to be adaptable and optimistic when leading their organizations, especially during challenging times. I've found that practicing mindfulness and meditation helps to achieve inner calm and unlearn old ideas, behaviors, and habits. Additionally, regular exercise is essential for physical and mental well-being, as it releases endorphins in the brain that promote clarity and optimism.

One piece of advice you would like to give to someone who is pursuing a career in technology.

Being passionate about your field is crucial, especially when it comes to technology. If you're truly passionate, you will naturally keep researching and staying ahead of the game, which makes you an invaluable asset to yourself and any company or team you work with. It's important to be passionate about what you do as it not only drives you to be better but also helps to bring out the best in others.

Future Employment – Virtual Global Contractors

Iqbal Amiri, President & CEO, AMIRI Wealth Management Inc.

Physical movement of people between counties for better economic opportunities, improved quality of life and security has been unprecedented. Some very important gadgets that we use in our daily lives without giving it too much though were brainchild of people who had moved to the West from Asia and African continent. In government, senior public policy officers are people who had moved to the West,

or they are second or third generation immigrants. The Prime Minister of United Kingdom is of East Indian ancestry, a sub-continent ruled by the British for almost three hundred years. Physical movement of people will never stop if history is of any guide to us. People move for different reasons; for a holiday I would take my family to warm, sunny beaches to relax and energize. People who live there wanted to move to my home country!

COVID-19 taught us how to work in a decentralized environment; staff had to work from home, Zoom meetings became part of our daily vernacular, grandparents could only see their grandchildren virtually through FaceTime

Counsellor. Confidant. Consultant. Caregiver. These are just a few of the many roles Iqbal Amiri has encompassed during his last three decades he’s spent as a life insurance and wealth advisor. Born in Burma, the secondgeneration native moved to East Pakistan, followed by West Pakistan, before settling in Canada, where he started AMIRI Wealth Management, Inc., in 1991. Based in Edmonton, with two office locations in Alberta, the wealth management firm prides itself on offering sound, honest financial advice based on education, knowledge, and experience. As not only its founder, but president and CEO, Iqbal draws on personal experience, imparting first-hand knowledge on the people he serves. He recently published his memoir Finding Home where he shares his life experiences and bigotry at his new home in Canada. Moreover, his commitment to this philosophy is seen through various awards and recognitions from the companies he has worked with and through his charity fund for mental health called, Amiri Mental Well Being Fund.

Virtual Global Contractors are highly educated, environmentally conscience, accepting of all peoples, totally plugged into technology, affluent by personal high income and recipients of significant inheritance from the Baby Boomer parents and grandparents

People all over the world want to move to Canada, and everyone is welcome as long as you follow the immigration process. It’s great country with good education, pluralism, multiculturalism (you never lose your traditions, culture, and values), and good economic opportunities.

I would like to play Nostradamus for a minute if you would indulge me. The globe is digitally connected like no other time in history – its all about the new technology that did not exist a few decades ago. A surgeon can virtually perform surgery at one corner of the world while the

patient is at the surgical unit at the other conner of the globe. It’s have not yet been perfected but we are almost there! We have electric cars going faster than super cars with combustion engines. Space travel; going to Mars, looks attainable. Ultra ambitious projects like Neom have already started in Saudi Arabia, and I am excited to see what it would be like to live in that type of environment.

COVID-19 taught us how to work in a decentralized environment; staff had to work from home, Zoom meetings became part of our daily vernacular, grandparents could only see their grandchildren virtually through FaceTime. Banks, insurance companies, and other important industries needed to retool their processes to serve their customers. Fitness industry and Standup Comics could have faced devastation, but everyone adapted to survive. It was Adapt or Die! Funny how it works; only when we are faced with life altering events, we change the way we live our lives. Otherwise, there is little drive to change. The next big one is Climate Change; we are already seeing the affects. Governments and its citizen will only respond to disaster, and it is coming.

COVID started a trend of people moving away from high density urban areas to most ruralish areas, not too far from the city and not too far into wilderness. High speed internet and other amenities needed for city folks to survive was a factor, I believe. In some industries where State or Provincial licensing is not required, people moved to other parts of the world; warmer resort type areas where they could still do their jobs and meet employment commitments while enjoying their lives. And so, this is the point where I play Nostradamus. I believe that there will be a new super mass migration, it has already started, of virtual movement of people, i.e. you live at one place and work in a different country or continent.

I call them Virtual Global Contractors; they will be multinational, global citizens. What I am predicting is far more intrusive and integrated activities in our daily lives; personal or corporate. This is possible due to high-speed internet which I believe is about to get much faster, beyond what would have thought just a few years ago. The main driver of the Virtual Global Contractors are Millennials and Generation Z. These cohorts are highly educated, environmentally conscience, accepting of all peoples, totally plugged into technology, affluent by personal high income and recipients of significant inheritance from the Baby Boomer parents and grandparents. They are more open to new ideas, they love to travel, not anchored by large houses, not held back by traditional relationships, and want to experience the world and all the cultures, peoples, traditions, cuisines, and arts it has to offer like no one else in history. They have clusters of friends everywhere; they are mobile and willing to take big industries to task. They may be citizen of one country but not necessarily live there most of the time. They will be more transitory than the Snowbirds in Canada; people move to the U. S. in the winter and return during the summer. VGCs will “live” in multiple countries. Thanks to Time Zones, the divide between holidays and workdays will be blurred. This could be due to competition from other VGCs and the need to be available to their employers or customers. The idea that you are not going to work for two or three weeks at a time already seems impractical as we are always checking our emails or social media accounts.

Who is going to benefit and who will be the losers? There will be a revision of the class system, which is always there whether we accept it or not. The class system will be between people with post secondary education and the poorly educated. The

former is better traveled, makes more money, and embraces all people. A quick Google search will tell you that only one third of Americans have a valid passport and seventy percent in Canada. The later of the two classes will remain in their bubble, elect officials in governments to pass laws to protect their jobs, cut taxes but increase

government benefits and create divide between themselves and the former. What they will not do is get better acquainted with other religions, cultures, traditions, cuisine, arts and language. The notion of globalization is anathema for them, and they will never accept it. The most extreme of these people with be the new terror groups. Good news is the next generation will not accept these notions of their ancestors, so it will take a generation for change to happen. This is a good thing when there is voluntary acceptance of change and move towards a better life for all.

In my view, the future is very bright so pull out your sunglasses. Focus less on the negative social media and particularly news networks; they are peddlers of recycled negative news with steroids. If you are a CEO of a company, don’t compare the new generation with the old. The new generation of professionals are very different, they want to be treated differently and will not put up with high handedness and bigoted bullshit from management. As individuals, don’t be surprised that an average person has a personal assistant living in another corner of the world managing your social calendar; making dinner and travel reservations or buying all your household supplies and shipping it to your home wherever it may be, and arranging virtual health checkups at the best clinics around the world.

Embrace the future and live your life to the fullest!

MOST INSPIRING BUSINESS LEADERS 2023

Brent Marshall Gene Moran

CEO, omni.auto

Website: https://omni.auto/

Headquarters: British Columbia, Canada

About the Company: omni.auto has a proven capacity for realizing double-digit dealership growth through its OmniChannel retailing strategy, which unites sales and marketing efforts for operations excellence.

Founder & President, Capitol Integration

Website: https://www.genemoran.com/

Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA

About the Company: Capitol Integration provides consulting services and focuses on government relations, relationship building, and political communications services.

Website: https://www.vqab.se/

Headquarters: Strängnäs, Sweden

About the Company: Founded by two of Scandinavia's most experienced legal professionals. VQ is an innovative entrepreneurial company focusing on the digitalisation of the legal sector.

Website: https://www.cxaccelerator.com/

Headquarters: Tennessee, USA

About the Company: CX Accelerator is a non-profit community that exists to equip, encourage, and connect Customer Experience professionals at every stage in their journey.

Website: https://babinbusinessconsulting.com/en/

Headquarters: Bordeaux, France

About the Company: Unique expertise in the digital workplace. Advice and guidance for your marketing, business development, innovation and digital transformation projects.

Website: https://mindset-in-motion.co.uk/

Headquarters: Somerset, UK

About the Company: Mindset in Motion is a leader in corporate wellbeing, working with corporate clients in over 55 countries.

President, Babin Business Consulting

Co-Founder, Virtual Intelligence VQ

Global Corporate Burnout Expert & Director, Mindset in Motion Ltd

Co-Founder, CX Accelerator

Nicolas Babin

Helena Hallgarn

Shona Hirons

Nate Brown

Website: https://bflgroup.ae/

Headquarters: Dubai, UAE

About the Company: The BFL Group is one of the world’s leading off-price retailer of fashion and homeware. Based in United Arab Emirates, it serves over three markets across the Middle East and Europe.

Website: https://www.carehorizons.co.uk/

Headquarters: Bradley Stoke, England

About the Company: Care Horizons aims to provide a holistic service to its client group within their home, based upon each individual's wishes, rights, competence and health reasons.

Website: https://www.next-up.com/

Headquarters: North Yorkshire, UK

About the Company: Making the most of 'unretirement' Next-Up supports employers with a range of services for directors, partners and employees to help them understand the impact of retirement on mental health and create a plan to use their skills and experience in new ways to ensure wellbeing.

Website: https://xirenyxr.wixsite.com/xel-consulting

Headquarters: Singapore

About the Company: Xel is a HR consultancy that focuses on enhancing organizational performance through employee engagement.

Founder & Chief Executive, Next-Up

Executive Chairman of the Board and Group CEO, BFL Group

Founder, Xel Consulting

Managing Director & CEO, Care Horizons Ltd

Victoria Tomlinson

Toufic Kreidieh

Xi Ren Yang

Vierka Hiscock

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business?

Brent Marshall

CEO, OMNI.AUTO

A SELF-MADE PHILANTHROPIST DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS

When The Scene Magazine profiled Brent Marshall, they called him the Canadian Stark. This Marvel metaphor is apt for someone who not only races supercars and owns jetpacks but also does many philanthropic works benefitting children and the community. Born in the sleepy commuter town of Hope in Canada, Mr. Marshall has made his mark on many industries, including auto, aviation, real estate, film production, construction, health and many more. However, his philanthropic

work benefitting children and the community is his most fulfilling endeavour. Mr. Marshall’s story is indeed an inspiring one.

An Accident

Raised by a stay-at-home mom and a miner/ butcher father, Mr. Marshall grew up watching his parents courageously shoulder the burden of 16-hour days to improve their lives. Following their example, Brent learned to hold down employment even as he juggled meal prep and chores in the trailer park, all while serving up a smorgasbord of scholastic achievement. Mr.

BRENT MARSHALL CEO, OMNI.AUTO

With a disruptive approach to marketing and mastery of process efficiencies, Mr. Marshall has made an indelible mark on the automobile industry. But ultimately, it's his drive to leave the world a better place and his four wonderful children that keep his engine revving

Marshall was working full-time at age 15, and by 18, those long hours yielded one of his first big scores, a Mustang GT Cobra that he fastidiously enhanced with modifications, all in a bid to feed his need for speed.

When everything was going well came a devastating motor vehicle accident in the waning days of the university that left Mr. Marshall in rehabilitation for nearly two years. However, the fighter in Mr. Marshall knew how to get back to the life he always dreamt about. The crash that almost took his life set Brent on a track that offered the perfect synergy between his love of automobiles and his passion for helping people. “My Engineering Degree and then a near-death auto accident sent me on a different path, which includes owning more than 45 companies in many different industries and charitable giving from each company, resulting in millions of dollars donated to charities,” says Mr. Marshall.

The Best Auto Dealer in Town

After the accident, Mr. Marshall started his career in car sales and quickly became the #1 Salesperson in British Columbia for General Motors. That set the stage for helming a dealership in a remote town as sales manager and GM, where he transformed the business into the #1 truck dealer in Canada. Mr. Marshall then asked to helm a dealership in Prince George. Within 60 days, the Prince George dealership would become BC's largest volume dealership and remain so for nearly a decade under his stewardship. It would also develop into the largest volume truck dealership in Canada.

“My background as an Engineer, being the #1 Salesperson in Canada when young, and then creating the #1 Volume Dealerships in Canada for several Brands, have helped me tremendously when creating the only true omnichannel

dealership solutions company in Canada. Omni. auto’s vision is to provide a true omnichannel retail solution, providing our Dealers with the best possible digital and marketing solutions, all working seamlessly together to create an incredible consumer experience while being far easier to manage than the current situation.” shares Mr. Marshall. Recognized as Canada’s #1 Automotive website, omni.auto brings everything under one roof. Mr. Marshall adds, “Currently, Dealerships have more than 20 different suppliers, with none working closely together, and the time consumed trying to manage these is overwhelming.”

Auto dealers today deal with several separate service providers, from digital marketing and CRM to lead generation and software developers. Integrating all those channels enables them to work seamlessly in what is termed Omni Channel retailing. It offers a highquality customer experience by uniting all sales and marketing messages into one cooperative wave. “This results in exponential growth and reaches while cutting expenses. Our Canadian and US stores have witnessed double-digit growth within 90 days and continue to increase their volume and profits. Our omni channel systems also provide your ROI on spend, which other suppliers do not,” says Mr. Marshall.

Omni.auto has won several awards this past year as the highest-ranking website in Canada and has developed more than 25 unique solutions for Dealers to improve their performance. “Our only real challenge is getting this new way of doing business in front of as many Dealers as possible with so much noise in this space. We love the challenge of creating the greatest possible solutions for our Dealers in a very quickly changing digital environment,” shares Mr. Marshall.

The Other Side of Mr. Marshall

With a disruptive approach to marketing and mastery of process efficiencies, Mr. Marshall has made an indelible mark on the automobile industry. But ultimately, it's his drive to leave the world a better place and his four wonderful children that keep his engine revving. Mr. Marshall says, “My day starts at 7:00 am with several meetings throughout the day for my 14 current companies, then time with my 4 children, then more work at night. I consider working my hobby. To unplug, I participate in extreme sports, car racing, snowmobiles, Trophy Trucks, etc."

As an entrepreneur, Mr. Marshal trusts his ability to delegate and multi-task. He says, “I do not waste a moment of my day, no TV, News or Social Media, just focused on work and helping others.”

Mr. Marshall has been named the #1 Volume Dealer for different Brands. However, significant Philanthropic milestones like Children’s Wing on the UNBC hospital, an outdoor patio for a pediatric ward, a Cancer Lodge Family Room, an outdoor all-wheels park for kids, and large donations to over 30 other charities complete his quest for fulfillment. In the past 15 years, Mr. Marshall has orchestrated the donation of nearly CAD 5 million to charities, earning him the title of “The Face of Philanthropy.”

Besides philanthropic activities, Mr. Marshall is now focused on the five new startups he launched last year: Canada's Highest Elevation Brewery, World Award-winning Distillery, Advanced Life Support Patient Transfer Ambulances, Water Company and CarbonTek Hydrogen engine cleaning system. “We all have one thing in common, the amount of time in a day. Don't allow others or negative influences to steal any of this time. It is invaluable,” concludes Mr. Marshall.

Gene Moran

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, CAPITOL INTEGRATION

HELPING DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMPANIES TO IMPROVE FEDERAL SALES OUTCOME

Transitioning from a military career to the corporate world can be a fraught process. In addition to networking their way into new professional circles and learning new cultural mores, veterans need to find an answer to the most fundamental question: what career will best suit them? Make Your Move: Charting Your Post-Military Career, written by Gene Moran, is about that transition. Published in 2021, Make Your Move is an entertaining and information-packed guide

for those transitioning out of the military or through post-military life - or anybody facing a significant career change. With more than 24 years in uniform, retiring as a Navy Captain, Mr. Moran now owns and operates his firm helping businesses navigate the federal sales environment, resulting in billions of dollars to their bottom lines. Mr. Moran also gives back to veterans by sharing his post-military career experience through his books and the Make Your Move Podcast.

GENE MORAN FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, CAPITOL INTEGRATION

I am leading, innovating, and dominating my support of the defense industrial base like no other

“The decision to go out on my own as an independent consultant was big. I enjoyed the structure of military life and thought I enjoyed the structure of corporate life. During a series of corporate changes, I recognized I did not want to continue a career where I was not in control of outcomes,” says Mr. Moran. With command at sea, Mr. Moran. had a lot of control for which he was directly accountable. However, he could not experience that in the corporate world. “I realized that being an independent consultant would restore that fulfillment. In working for myself in support of great clients, I was not content to just hang a shingle. I am leading, innovating, and dominating my support of the defense industrial base like no other,” explains Mr. Moran.

During his corporate years, Mr. Moran recognized that many defense companies not resident in Washington, DC, did not fully understand the intricacies of federal sales or the nuance associated with exercising positive influence. He knew he could help some of the hundreds of thousands of companies that fit these criteria. As a solo practitioner by design, Mr. Moran started offering advisement services to support funding and policy pursuits for defense companies. By educating industry presidents and CEOs on the federal processes and the most effective strategies and tactics to achieve their objectives, Mr. Moran helped entrepreneurs understand what

is required to move forward. Further, when assisting decision-makers in the executive branch and Congress to understand the issues and concerns of his clients, Mr. Moran routinely sees opportunities to influence better outcomes for both the government and the clients.

Mr. Moran applies his experiences working in both the executive and congressional branches. Furthermore, his research in support of his Ph.D. in Public Policy specifically focused on the relationship between defense executives and their understanding of Congress. “In my recognizing how unfair the balance of access is for those who understand the interrelated processes of government versus those who don’t, I saw a need to document a condition of unfairness,” shares Mr. Moran. He has explored the US process and the industry’s relationship with the government in ways no one has done before. This in-depth understanding allows Mr. Moran's clients to gain a better advantage in sharing their solutions with the government buyer.

Growing the Venture

Mr. Moran’s investments in improvements directly translate to investments in himself that he shares with others. His intellectual property is ever-evolving, and he continues to look for various channels to share that knowledge through public speeches and sessions periodically in university settings. The Defense Acquisition University, where all

defense acquisition professionals are certified, uses Mr. Moran’s intellectual property in teaching part of that curriculum. “I will teach a public policy course at Florida State University in 2023, as well as the United States Naval Academy, and Defense Acquisition University” he shares. Mr. Moran has also written multiple books about federal sales, Capitol CurrencySM , and Million Dollar Influence, co-written with Alan Weiss. Later in 2023, Taylor & Francis will publish his next book, Government Deals Are Funded Not Sold: How to Integrate Lobbying into Your Federal Sales Strategy.

Over the years, Mr. Moran’s relentless pursuit of innovation has garnered multiple accolades. Capitol Integration is twice recognized by Bloomberg Government as a top-performing lobbying firm and is on track to do so again in 2023. The National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics (NILE) has recognized Mr. Moran twice as a Top Lobbyist among 12,000 federal lobbyists. Capitol Integration has been identified twice by Florida State University as one of the 100 fastest-growing alumni-owned small businesses in the United States. The Society for Advancing Consulting recognized Mr. Moran as the Consultant of the Year in a global field. Lastly, Capitol Integration is the only government relations professional inducted into the Consulting Hall of Fame®.

Progressing into the Future

Throughout his career, Mr. Moran has led through action and attempted to develop

Capitol Integration is twice recognized by Bloomberg Government as a top-performing lobbying firm and is on track to do so again in 2023. The National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics (NILE) has recognized the company twice as a Top Lobbyist among 12,000 federal lobbyists

those coming behind him. He understands that not everyone is ready to receive mentorship and developmental support, and that people grow at their own rate. “A passion project I undertook was writing my own story of transition from a Navy Captain to an independent entrepreneur. Make Your Move is a book intended to help others who may be

struggling to find fulfillment in their post-active duty lives,” Mr. Moran explains. It's also inspired the Make Your Move podcast, where other veterans share their business success stories since active duty. All proceeds from the Make Your Move effort support Freedom Fighter Outdoors, a charity dedicated to providing unique outdoor experiences to wounded veterans.

An outgrowth of his Ph.D. work is Mr. Moran’s recognition of a need to democratize access to Congress. In the executive branch, the Small Business Association exists in many forms to support companies trying to sell to the government. "Too many companies fail to recognize that the table is set in Congress regarding federal spending. I intend to continue to identify ways Congress might offer additional avenues of access for companies of all sizes,” states Mr. Moran. Today, fewer than one percent of defense companies participate in formal lobbying of Congress. In theory, all companies have equal access, but without someone like Capitol Integration by their side, they’ll never tap into that opportunity.

Too many companies fail to recognize that the table is set in Congress when it comes to federal spending. I intend to continue to identify ways Congress might offer additional avenues of access for companies of all sizes

Leadership Discomfort: Tolerating and Managing This for Yourself and Others

Kate Pearlman-Shaw, MD, Pearlman-Shaw Consultancy

Who said leadership was comfortable? The leaders I meet often talk about the loneliness of leadership perhaps from the moment of internal promotion where you are no longer one of your peer team, through to taking difficult decisions that you have ultimate responsibility for. Eminent psychologists tell us that we need

psychological safety in teams, which really means tolerating and facilitating the discomfort that disagreement brings. And leadership is full of frustrations, these days enhanced in a hybrid working environment where you don’t see team members daily, perhaps worry about their wellbeing or are unhappy with their output. Being a leader brings empowerment, status,

Without self-insight some leaders don’t realise when they are uncomfortable, this can manifest as thoughtlessness, poor communication, and overt negativity to their colleagues

Kate Pearlman-Shaw is the Managing Director of Pearlman-Shaw Consultancy. She specialises in helping leaders to change their behaviours. She worked for 18 years as a UK Clinical Psychologist and leader, then for the last 17 years as a leadership development coach and facilitator internationally in private and public sector organisations. Kate has extensive experience running leadership development programmes, coaching teams and individuals, in Board development and is a sought-after public speaker. Since 2019 she has run her own company specialising in the application of psychology to meet organisational and leadership needs. She is a double Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, both as a Coaching Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist. She is registered with the UK Health and Care Professions Council.

chances to do great things and develop fabulous people but comes with the need to tolerate and manage a high degree of discomfort in yourself and others.

Without self-insight some leaders don’t realise when they are uncomfortable, this can manifest as thoughtlessness, poor communication, and overt

negativity to their colleagues. Others do realise but don’t have adequate techniques to manage. We’re told in contemporary leadership models to show our vulnerability, yet too much honesty has a brutal impact and too much expressed worry causes a ‘contagion’ effect through a group.

Emotional Containment

In psychotherapy, trainees learn about the principles of emotional containment, defined as the ‘management of one's emotions in order to present oneself and interact with other people in a certain way while doing a job’. This ability to ‘hold onto yourself,’ is necessary in maintaining good boundaries, enabling you to consciously find the right balance between holding back and being vulnerable. This is not about suppression or repression of emotions, more a feature of conscious self-control, deciding when and where to express whichever type of discomfort you are experiencing.

Social support, mental rest and recuperation are crucial discomfort management strategies enabling this process of containment. Social support is a key correlate of resilience: the better connected we are, the more positive interactions we have with others, the more likely we are to be able to manage a key range of feelings. This may be having a confidante to sound off to; someone to articulate that discomfort to and to work through the problem within a thoughtful way; perhaps a coach or mentor for advice about what to do,

or someone at work to have some fun with to offset and balance our pain and pleasure mechanisms. No sprinter or marathon runner would run for a second time without replenishment: its why simple everyday adjustments, such as 50-minute meetings, gives you a chance to process what you’ve just contained or let out your frustrations before it’s time for the next situation. Journaling at the end of the day can help as a ‘vessel’ for our discomfort, stopping it preoccupying us at night.

or to hold back? This is very dependent on the levels of other’s discomfort, the impact you have on them. Currently thought of as the number one predictor of team effectiveness ‘psychological safety’, coined and defined by Amy Edmondson as “the belief that no-one will be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes” is all about tolerating and managing your and others discomfort. The worst thing that a leader can do to their team members is to regularly cause pain: criticism, conflict, feeling unsupported or unappreciated cause are what neuroscientists refer to as ‘social pain’. These expressions of a leader’s discomfort cause unsafe and thereby unproductive teams.

Through curiosity, active listening, understanding, showing compassion, providing purpose, clarity, support, and enjoyment the leader sets the scene for an atmosphere that balances pleasure with pain, a key brain state needed for optimal effectiveness, All hard to do when the leader is in a place of worry, frustration or is overwhelmed, so in a place of discomfort themselves. Studies of this pain-pleasure continuum show that the more we tolerate discomfort the more we can appreciate the pleasurable times.

Discomfort through change

To open up or to hold back?

How can we make that crucial decision about whether to open up and be voluntarily vulnerable

Understanding the mechanisms of how humans process any change is also crucial for leaders. Not everyone gets excited about change. It’s quite natural that when explaining your vision or expectations the other will become uncomfortable. Containing another’s dissonance is important here, they may need your help to adjust to what you want, you’ll need to be attentive, give them some time, understand their

Social support is a key correlate of resilience: the better connected we are, the more positive interactions we have with others, the more likely we are to be able to manage a key range of feelings

barriers, support, and help. While all of these help them, these activities may slow you down, creating discomfort for you. If you encounter such discomfort don’t react, be compassionate, take your frustration elsewhere, using those support mechanisms. More often than not your colleague will have processed and adjusted by the next time you check in.

Organisation and planning help to decrease discomfort

Effective leaders need space. In today’s ridiculously busy world I consider time to be the ‘enemy’ of good leaders. Without a good plan for realistically using available time, we quickly get overwhelmed, a key source of leadership discomfort I’m seeing postpandemic. Multiple studies are demonstrating that the better planned and organised we are at work the more productive and happier we are. In other words, our discomfort can be lowered by a good planning and prioritisation system. Don’t underestimate how much a plan can help you to manage that leadership discomfort.

Staying future focussed, on solving the problem, also helps as long as we process the frustrations or difficulties encountered along the

way. Focusing on blame or constantly trying to make sense of what went wrong anchors us in prolonged discomfort. Obviously finding root causes and determining how problems don’t happen again is key, yet that can be done in a healthy, non-blaming, lessons-learnt way.

The starting point: self-awareness

As with much leadership development the starting point is self-awareness. Be aware of your discomfort, know the signs. Watch out for how you are both mentally and physically. Observe your posture too: for example, when we’re afraid we tend to adopt closed postures, so opening up physically, adopting a more open posture can help to redress our reaction, sending signals through our interoceptive nervous system to our brain to say that there isn’t any danger to respond to. This is a quick method of processing, then calming discomfort.

Effective leadership means knowing when you are uncomfortable, what’s causing it, then making conscious decisions about how to handle it. It means knowing when to share, when to temporarily contain and where to take those feelings so that they don’t cause harm to you, your colleagues or even your loved ones.

Without a good plan for realistically using available time, we quickly get overwhelmed, a key source of leadership discomfort I’m seeing post-pandemic

Nitric Oxide: The Future of Medicine

Dr. Nathan Bryan, Founder & CEO, Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC

Imagine, if you will, a single molecule that is naturally produced in the human body that could transform and improve the management of most chronic diseases. That is the great hope and expectation by the scientific and medical community for nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule naturally produced in the human body that regulates a number of important biological processes. It controls and regulates blood pressure, oxygen delivery and the delivery of nutrients to every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. It also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and works to kill invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Appreciating this, one can now imagine what can happen if our body loses its ability to produce such an essential molecule. Blood pressure goes up, sexual dysfunction occurs, mild cognitive

disorders begin, the body becomes susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, the ability to fully oxygenate tissue is compromised along with a number of other symptoms and health problems. The discovery of nitric oxide was so profound and fundamental that a Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology was awarded to three U.S. scientists in 1998.

We now live in a world where more than 60% of the global population is living with a chronic disease and 70% of all death can be attributed to a chronic disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of men and women worldwide despite billions of dollars in research spent every year. This is simply unacceptable given we now know what causes cardiovascular disease, nitric oxide deficiency, we know how to diagnose it early and we have the technology to

Dr. Bryan earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and his doctoral degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. He pursued his post-doctoral training as a Kirschstein Fellow at the Boston University School of Medicine in the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute. After a two-year post-doctoral fellowship, in 2006, Dr. Bryan was recruited to join the faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston by Ferid Murad, M.D., Ph.D., a 1998 Nobel Laureate in Medicine or Physiology. Dr. Bryan has been involved in nitric oxide research for more than 20 years and has made many seminal discoveries in the field. Dr. Bryan is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Human to the Power of n, Inc, Pneuma Nitric Oxide, LLC, Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC, and Bryan Nitriceuticals, LLC.

Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule naturally produced in the human body that regulates a number of important biological processes

restore and replete nitric oxide in patients. Most of these patients are on multiple drug therapy and yet their chronic conditions are not resolved and, in most cases, continues to progress. It is clear that what we are doing is not working. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. It is time to think differently.

As a biochemist and physiologist with over 25 years of experience in research and drug development, based on the preponderance of published literature, I have come to realize that all chronic disease whether it is Alzheimer’s’ disease, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, kidney, lung, liver disease has four common characteristics:

1.Reduced blood flow to the affected organ

2.Systemic inflammation

3.Increased oxidative stress

4.Immune dysfunction

Although this is accepted as being selfevident by scientific and medical communities, there has not been any development around therapy that addresses the root cause of these chronic conditions. However nitric oxide is a molecule that can correct all four of these common characteristics of every single chronic disease. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that improves blood flow and circulation. Nitric oxide is known to be anti-inflammatory, lower high sensitivity C-reactive protein, an acute phase marker of inflammation. Nitric oxide inhibits superoxide production from its primary sources thereby reducing oxidative stress. Nitric oxide inhibits the immune dysfunction by reducing the adherence and migration of immune cells to the blood vessel wall.

The challenge behind the development of safe and effective nitric oxide-based therapies

Safe and effective nitric oxide drugs will be how we treat patients for the next 100 years and will change the landscape of healthcare and the management of chronic disease

can be explained by the physical chemistry of nitric oxide. It is a gas that when produced is gone in less than a second. However, during that second it is around, it reacts with and activates a number of second messenger systems that then activate many important biological responses. How do you deliver a bioactive gas at the right dose at the right time? For years now, nitric oxide gas therapy has been provided through inhalation. This is FDA approved for the treatment of pre-mature babies born with pulmonary hypertension. There is now a solid dose form of nitric oxide gas based on my dozens of issued patents and more than 20 years of research. There is really not a single disease where there is too much nitric oxide produced so there is no need to develop inhibitors of nitric oxide production. Rather drug therapy should be focused on ways to safely administer nitric oxide. Our drug discovery program stands out from the rest of the world. Most drugs are synthetic compounds that inhibit certain biochemical reactions. This is called pharmacology. A good example are the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors called statins that inhibit the ratelimiting step in cholesterol production. When you inhibit a biochemical reaction, there are always side effects and unintended consequences. Restoring the production of a natural molecule is called applied physiology. The proper strategy is to give back to the body what it is missing at the right dose and at the right time. Using this approach, we are simply restoring the production of a natural molecule which should not and will not have side effects or unintended consequences since this is how the body is designed to work. Safe and effective nitric oxide drugs will be how we

treat patients for the next 100 years and will change the landscape of healthcare and the management of chronic disease.

Over the past 3 years we have suddenly recognized the importance of nitric oxide in our immune system and resistance to infections. The people that were at risk for COVID-19 infection and death were those patients that were deficient in nitric oxide. Those were the elderly, people with previous heart attacks, pulmonary disease, those with high blood pressure, diabetes, African American and those with kidney disease. All of these are symptoms and diseases that manifest as a consequence of insufficient nitric oxide. This simple observation led to drug studies investigating the effects of nitric oxide as an early treatment regimen for at risk patients. After all, nitric oxide inhibits viral replication, prevents the vascular inflammation from the spike protein, improves oxygenation and prevents platelet activation thereby inhibiting clot formation. These are all the clinical issues presented in COVID patients. One drug, one molecule appears to abrogate the entire clinical picture.

The future of nitric oxide-based therapies is very promising. Many consider nitric oxide the “Holy Grail” for the treatment and prevention of chronic disease. With over 180,000 scientific publications on nitric oxide, the science is clear. We, the scientific and medical community have the information we need. Now all we need is the dissemination of the knowledge and information, well designed drug trials for nitric oxide therapies and allow nitric oxide to do its job. Nitric oxide drugs will be the “penicillin” of this century and will change the face of medicine and how we treat patients for the next 100 years.

Vierka Hiscock

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, CARE HORIZONS LTD

BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES

EMPOWERING CLIENTS TO

Vierka Hiscock is the Managing Director & CEO of Care Horizons Ltd, a domiciliary care provider based in the UK. She is a passionate and visionary leader with over fifteen years of experience in patient social care and business administration. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership Health and Social Care and is currently pursuing a CMI Level 7 Diploma. As a certified coach/mentor, Vierka believes that with the right support, everyone can reach their full potential and become successful.

The Journey to Leadership

Vierka was born and raised in Slovakia. As a child, she loved reading and was always eager to learn new things. Her dream was to become an ethnographist, but due to antiquated times, she pursued a Degree in Accountancy and Economics and a Degree in Management for export and import.

Later in professional life, Vierka would often challenge the status quo. It was important for her as a headstrong individual to have the chance to put forward her views across people. This

VIERKA HISCOCK MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, CARE HORIZONS LTD

was seldom attempted by women, who were a rarity in leadership positions. She worked in several companies where the toxic workplace environment began suffocating her. It made her decide that it was not the right path for her.

Hence, in 2005, when Vierka came to England, she switched her career and gained numerous recognized qualifications in Dementia, which led her to study more about Psychology, Coaching, and Mentoring. This is where she

got an opportunity to seek deep insights into human psychology, which fascinated her throughout her life.

Putting on New Wings

In 2017, Vierka took over Care Horizons and turned it into a more specialized care services company, which now provides bespoke assistance

managing and supporting,” shares Vierka. “Their accomplishments reflect the amazing team we have in place to enable us to support not just our clients but our staff members too.”

As the Managing Director & CEO of Care Horizons, Vierka instigated an individualized training plan for each staff member, including QCF qualification training. As a certified professional, she knows how positive empathy should be put into coaching and mentoring. Hence, she offers all her staff one-to-one mentoring/coaching every month for life skills and a business coaching and mentoring service to other companies.

Care Horizons: The Key Provider of Bespoke Care & Mentoring

Headquartered in Yate, Bristol, Care Horizons aims to provide a holistic service to its client group within their home, based upon each individual's wishes, rights, competence, and health reasons. These services aim to develop each individual to their fullest potential while maintaining the dignity and equality of all its customers. Moreover, Vierka and her team recognize that people are their most valued resource. So, they uphold the principles of teamwork through open communication, clear objectives, and flexibility and continually strive to improve the quality and standard of service offered to their clients.

“Our vision is to tear down the stigma of mental health and disabilities and turn them into superhuman power,” reveals Vierka.

for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs. Considering herself lucky, Vierka feels honored to work with incredible people at Care Horizons who are extremely versatile and resourceful. “For me, you are only as good of a leader, as the teams you are

What Makes Care Horizons Unique?

Unlike other agencies that offer pre-made packages to clients, Care Horizons tailor-fits its package to the client’s needs and preferences. What’s more remarkable is that the staff members and clients also become part of the

Unlike other agencies that offer pre-made packages to clients, Care Horizons tailor-fits its package to the client ’ s needs and preferences

‘Care Horizons’ family. Together, they are there to celebrate the great and less glamorous aspects of success on a time scale specific to the client.

“We set realistic goals for clients, where staff members are fully involved in the progress and review what is going well and what needs to be improved, or the path of the outcome changed,” explains Vierka. This is what makes Care Horizons unique among other specialist care providers.

Staying Strong & Growing Together Over the Years

At Care Horizons, the last few years have been challenging for Vierka and her team. With psychology as her passion, Vierka found herself learning more about the fundamental nature of people. Some of the experiences were good, while the others were not so good. The feedback and love from the witnesses brought tears to the team’s eyes, while the new volunteers who lost their jobs during the pandemic thought that the work was very easy but was proven wrong quickly. After all, working in social care with vulnerable people is not suitable for everyone.

Nevertheless, the team of Care Horizons continued to display a genuine feeling to help and support others in need, making Vierka very proud to be a part of the company. “As a team, we have become closer than ever, and we would like to keep the relationship between us professional but supportive,” says Vierka.

Embracing Innovation & Balancing Technology Cost with ROI

At Care Horizons, Vierka and her team are always looking for new ways to embrace innovation, as they recognize how much it can positively benefit clients and staff members to improve lives altogether.

In 2018, Care Horizons participated in the Parliamentary Review into social care and received the Healthcare Service of the Year award at the Bristol Prestige Awards in 2020

Before investing in any new technology, the team of Care Horizons conducts thorough research and looks for feedback. “It is a fine line as I believe that progress should not be reflected by cutting cost on the correct technology, but it has to be worth the investment on the other side too,” says Vierka.

Motivating Employees in the Workplace

As a transformative leader, Vierka believes in leading by example. “Instead of focusing on their performance alone, I see to it that the organization also invests in developing their skills and character,” shares Vierka. This is compounded by the fact that employees are more naturally and intrinsically motivated when they consistently improve and become better versions of themselves.

Likewise, Vierka considers being truthful and honest with team members vital, especially when mistakes happen, as nobody is perfect. What’s important is to learn from the mistakes and not repeat them again. Making time for staff members and letting them feel appreciated is also very important, as she wants everyone to feel supported.

Tackling Challenges Head On

According to Vierka, the biggest challenge in the care services sector is the need for more awareness, understanding, and recognition of the importance of social care, which is very interlinked with health, but sadly forgotten occasionally. She further explains, “The challenge is the lack of, and cuts to funding, which we try to compensate for by offering different benefits, work environment, and further training.”

Celebrating Career Milestones

In 2018, Care Horizons participated in the Parliamentary Review into social care and received the Healthcare Service of the Year award at the Bristol Prestige Awards in 2020. For Vierka, getting featured as a Women Leader in the Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant commemorative album in 2022 and celebrating the Queen's birthday in Claridge are the best achievements and milestones in her role as a business leader.

Personal Role Model

When asked about her personal role model, who helped her become the leader she is today, Vierka answers, “My dad has been my biggest role model in life. He led by example, having held several positions in management and leadership throughout his career.” He showed Vierka that success is achievable and motivated and inspired her to dream bigger and achieve more.

A Day in the Life of a Leader

Vierka is a leader who is so passionate about her work that it doesn’t feel like work. She begins her day with planned tasks and an optimistic mindset to get them done. There are, however, times when urgent matters need her attention. Instead of getting anxious, Vierka seeks the support of her manager, Joe, who is there to lend her ear, offer advice, and take over a few tasks herself.

In addition, Vierka is surrounded by a very supportive network of people whom she considers important and is grateful to have in her life. Finally, and most importantly, Shadow and Petal, her two dogs, are her biggest stress busters. Playing, going for walks, and spending time with them drains out Vierka’s stress, brings calm, and rejuvenates and energizes her for the next day.

Vierka and her team are currently canvasing Care Horizons ’ market growth strategy and streamlining their processes before expanding the company ’ s footprint in other markets

Future Plans

Vierka and her team are currently canvasing Care Horizons’ market growth strategy and streamlining their processes before expanding the company’s footprint in other markets.

Vierka loved spending time with her grandmother, who showed her that age is only a number. She also had personal experiences with her beloved late father, whom she cared

for and supported in his old age. He sadly passed away in May 2022 at the age of only 71 years due to his refusal to seek treatment. Vierka points out that this is a massive problem with ageism in Slovakia. She further reveals, “To honor their legacy, we are opening a social hub in Yate and looking to build a care home in Slovakia to be the “pioneer” in how elderly should be treated.”

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Bring the Zing-5 Keys to Powerful Presentations, Briefings, and Meetings

Charles S. Gates, President of Charles S. Gates, LLC

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a brain-taxing, waste-of-time, boring presentation? Have you ever given a brain-taxing, waste-of-time, boring presentation? If you are being honest with yourself, regardless of your position or how long you have been speaking, the answer is probably yes. The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. There are many

techniques and tips we could share, to make you a more powerful presenter. However, if you master these five keys, you will be light-years ahead of your peers. Want to Bring the Zing? Here’s how.

Have the Right Mindset

Your goal as a presenter is to share information. No one in your audience is expecting perfection.

Your goal as a presenter is to share information. No one in your audience is expecting perfection. They do not want a robot. They want you. With all of your imperfections and flaws

Charles S. Gates is the President of Charles S. Gates, LLC., a speaking and presentation coaching company. He is helping leaders to become the best speakers they can be. As a former United States Marine and corporate trainer for 30 years, he has seen first-hand, just how poorly most military and business presentations are delivered. His current mission is to create more powerful workplace presenters—one word at a time. He also spends much of his time working in the local community with young people. Teaching them the fundamentals of effective communication, how to network, how to dress to impress, and business acumen.

They do not want a robot. They want you. With all of your imperfections and flaws. Properly prepare yourself beforehand. Practice (preferably in front of a live audience) and deliver.

Many of us talk ourselves out of the greatness we deserve. Take on a growth mindset. Say to yourself, I can do this! Remember, you are aiming for excellence, not perfection.

Have a Specific Purpose

What exactly is your intended takeaway? Will your audience, if asked what your talk was about, be able to answer that question in fifteen words or less? If you were asked to summarize your message, could you do so in fifteen words or less? If your answer is no, then you may have too much going on. We must be crystal clear in our messaging. Again, practice in front of a nonthreatening group and ask them for feedback. If you receive fifteen different answers, you may want to reorganize, change the flow or even manipulate your word choices.

Be Present

When the sporting event is on the line. Your team is losing by one point and there is only one minute left in the game. What is the only thought on your and the other team’s mind? To score or not to score! That is the kind of focus we must have when presenting with power. No distractions. No excuses. Your audience is the nucleus of your existence, at that moment.

Waste no time. Waste no words.

Too often we begin our talks with nonsensical babble. Remember, most of us are busy. We took time out of our day to listen to you. Whether voluntarily or because the boss said so, we are

there. We do not need to hear about the weather or how the family is doing. We don’t care. Get to it. Choose wisely. Carefully craft your message, using words and sentences that concisely convey your talking points and key takeaways. There is no written rule that says you must speak for an hour. Unless you are delivering a keynote, keep it short, sweet, and to the point.

Tell Stories.

Why is it, when we become adults, we think that stories are beneath us? Are we too professional to tell them? Of course not. Why do we read novels? Why do we watch movies? Why do we attend stage plays and operas? Stories. We have loved them since we were very young. And we will love them well into our elder years.

Most business and presentation coaches will encourage the telling of stories to make your message more relatable. We all have personal

experiences that can be told to an audience to empathize with a point. Don’t think you have any stories to share? Look at the pictures on your phone. Pick one and ask, why did I take this picture, on this day, at this moment? There is a good chance that that encounter can be used to enhance a point. Remember, stories are meant to entice the listener’s emotions. A welltold story, delivered at the right time, and in the right way, will make your presentation stick. Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or anywhere in between, when you become known for being a good presenter, it separates you from the pack. If you are tired of people falling asleep during your talks. If you know you are boring. If you want to add a bit of spice to your presentations. If you are ready to Bring the Zing when all eyes are on you, follow these steps and be the center of conversations for years to come.

Choose wisely. Carefully craft your message, using words and sentences that concisely convey your talking points and key takeaways

Five Tips to Become an Entrepreneur

Nerma Albertorio, Co-Manager Director at Project Makers, Founder at Centro para Emprendedores, Co-Founder at 100 Ventures

There is a time when something begins to spark, and you start to want something more. You begin to feel that your work is not enough, that you are stuck, that you cannot grow, or that you are not happy anymore. And these feelings are perfectly normal sometimes… You are not being disgraceful; you know that you can do more, and the challenge is needed. If you feel something like this, let me tell you that this sentiment is not going away unless you do something about it. And then the second thoughts and the fear usually take place. This is normal too.

So, let me share with you some simple tips to address this and help you become the entrepreneur inside you.

1. Make a list of all your ideas. Usually, the best ones come from your personal experience and/or knowledge.

2. Put them in order from the most complicated to the easiest.

3. Choose one idea.

4. Do the experiment. Try to create a minimum viable product with what you have. There is only a little investment at this stage, just enough to make a few sales and confirm if someone is willing to pay for what you are offering. Not all great ideas represent great businesses.

5. Once you identify a business opportunity, prepare yourself.

a. Prepare yourself with education.

b. Prepare your finances to embark on this journey.

c. Ask for help; you cannot do this alone!

With these simple steps, you can begin a transition from employee to entrepreneur. When they ask for my advice, I always tell people that

Nerma Albertorio Barnés is a Puerto Rican-born and raised entrepreneur and an active community leader in the entrepreneurial ecosystem on the island. One of her most significant accomplishments was the creation of Centro para Emprendedores (Center for Entrepreneurs) in 2012. Since then, she has been able to impact over six thousand people, help establish over 100 small businesses and startups, and design and successfully implement entrepreneurship educational programs. More recently, after the hit of Hurricanes Irma and María and the Pandemic, her work was crucial in defining how to support small businesses during a crisis after natural disasters. She helped raise over 10M in capital for startups and small business owners during her career.

We are capable of creating our own wealth and path to prosperity. It is not in the hands of others

we have all we need to do it. No one can tell you if your idea is good or bad. The market is the one that speaks. If you have something that people are willing to pay for, you have a business opportunity. If you do the experiment and there is no response, that is not a business opportunity, and there is nothing wrong with that. You go to the next idea, always learning and listening to your client. They are the ones that are going to give you the direction that you need to be successful.

Another insight I can share with you is to start listening to the stories of other entrepreneurs. You will find out that they are just people like you and me. Each of us embarks on a journey to become an entrepreneur with many challenges, risks, and a tremendous amount of satisfaction. I need to highlight that you will make mistakes and sometimes fail, which is part of it. Usually, we are not taught to become an entrepreneur or to start something; we are prepared to educate ourselves to find a good job and get a good retirement pension. But what happens when this reality is no longer available? We are capable of creating our own wealth and path to prosperity. It is not in the hands of others.

I hope that the next time you feel the need to do something more, you can follow these simple steps to understand that you have all you need to make things happen. Above all, know that this is a journey you do not do alone! It would be best if you had a team and a support system. Please find it and do it!

Each of us embarks on a journey to become an entrepreneur with many challenges, risks, and a tremendous amount of satisfaction